MORE efforts will be made to combat Worcestershire's obesity crisis - with councillors calling it a "tremendous problem".

Worcestershire County Council has agreed a new motion which aims to bring the issue of poor health to the forefront of decision-making.

From now on all the reports presented to politicians, on everything from open space investments to town or city centre improvements, will include detailed assessments on how it will impact public health.

The move aims to ensure that tackling obesity is at the forefront of the agenda in Worcestershire, and was voted through during a full council meeting.

Last year your Worcester News revealed how 15 per cent of children aged four and five in the county are now classed as overweight according to measurements of their Body Mass Index, while 9.6 per cent are obese.

For 10 and 11-year-olds obesity levels nearly double to 18.5 per cent, leading to many youngsters taking that into adulthood.

The county council's stance means issues like school expansions, the future layout of town centres and even new public realms will encourage people to get fitter.

It follows the example of more local authorities choosing to invest in outside fitness equipment in recent years, something which is proving more and more popular.

The motion said public health should be "the overriding priority" of the council and at the forefront of "all policies and decisions".

Labour Councillor Joseph Baker said: "Education is a vital factor in the public's health - diet clubs alone are not enough, we need new thinking.

"To have something set in stone from the county council on this whole issue is very important."

Councillor Marcus Hart, the cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "We on this side of the chamber agree with the sentiments of the motion - as a society we need to do much more on prevention, particularly obesity and alcohol."

He said it "took 40 years" to get people to quit smoking, insisting big changes cannot happen overnight, but insisted the motion would "set us on the right trajectory".

Lib Dem Councillor Fran Oborski said: "I do think this is incredibly important - we have a tremendous obesity problem."

Tory Councillor Andy Roberts gave a word of caution around the costs, saying he'd heard of other authorities spending £1 million a year on having to apply health assessments to so many areas.

But he also added his support to the motion, which was re-worded slightly and voted through unanimously.